Tag: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

Lions vs. Vikings game recap: Everything we know

Final score, stats, keys to the game, top Lions players and more

It was deja vu all over again, in the words of Yogi Berra. The Detroit Lions fell, 19-17, to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 on a last-second field goal in U.S. Bank Stadium.

It’s the exact same score and outcome as the Lions Week 3 loss to Baltimore. This kick was only from 54 yards from Vikings kicker Greg Joseph, who had earlier missed short at the same goal from just 49 yards.

The Lions defense fought valiantly and was able to make some key plays. The offense ran well but struggled to seriously threaten the Vikings defense down the field all afternoon.

Detroit falls to 0-5 while the Vikings improve to 2-3.

Lions fall to Vikings on last-second field goal

The Lions couldn’t hold a lead with 30 seconds to play and fall to 0-5

For the second time in three weeks, the Detroit Lions lost on a long field goal as time expired. Minnesota’s Greg Joseph nailed a 54-yard field goal on the game’s final play to lift the Vikings to a 19-17 win.

The Lions are now 0-5, while the Vikings improve to 2-3.

Detroit had seized the lead with just 37 seconds remaining on a D’Andre Swift touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion pass from Jared Goff to KhaDarel Hodge. But the Vikings had enough time for QB Kirk Cousins to drive into the very edge of Joseph’s range.

Joseph had earlier missed short from 49 yards but had no problem driving the longer attempt through the uprights. It was eerily reminiscent of the Week 3 loss, where Ravens kicker Justin Tucker set an NFL record with a 66-yard field goal to win the game by the exact same score, 19-17.

Detroit’s offense had sputtered for most of the afternoon but perked up late, following a Jalen Reeves-Maybin fumble recovery to set up the go-ahead touchdown. The Lions defense performed admirably, aided in part by some curious play-calling by the Vikings and some Minnesota penalties.

The loss is the eighth straight in the series by Detroit, and this one might have hurt the most.

Lions vs. Vikings: How to watch, listen, stream and wager on the Week 5 game

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: How to watch, listen, stream and wager on the Week 5 game

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The Detroit Lions look to notch their first win of the 2021 and also escape the NFC North basement in a Week 5 trip to Minnesota to face the Vikings.

Detroit Lions (0-4) at Minnesota Vikings (1-3)

When: Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Referee: Clete Blakeman

The game will be shown regionally on FOX. If you live in the yellow market areas on the map, the game will be on your local FOX affiliate. Chris Myers and Daryl “Moose” Johnson will have the broadcast call.

 

 

Radio: 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit is the flagship station. The full list of over 30 radio affiliates is here.

Sirius XM Radio: The Lions audio feed featuring Dan Miller is on channel 226. The national broadcast is on channel 88.

Stream: NFL Game Pass

Watch free on FUBO TV

Wagering

The Lions are steep underdogs against the Vikings in the odds from Tipico Sportsbook.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

  • Money line: Lions +360 (bet $100 to win $360) | Vikings -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Lions +9.5 (-102) | Vikings -9.5 (-122)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Both the Lions and Vikings are 2-2 against the spread through the first four weeks of the 2021 season. The Vikings have won the last seven meetings in the series straight-up, and the Lions have covered the spread just once in those seven meetings.

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Behind Enemy Lines: Breaking down the Week 5 matchup with the Vikings

Thanks to Vikings Wire and editor Jack White for the insight on the Week 5 matchup

The winless Detroit Lions go in search of their first win in Minnesota, where the 1-3 Vikings have had some issues of their own. The Vikings are a familiar foe in the NFC North, and they’ve won the last seven games in the divisional series.

What is going on with these Vikings through the first four weeks? Do the Lions have a chance to break into the win column and escape last place in the NFC North in one fell swoop? To get the answers to these and other questions, I turned to Vikings Wire and editor Jack White.

The Vikings are 1-3 but have played a difficult schedule. What’s the mood about the team in Minnesota?

I think people are pretty pessimistic at this point. The Vikings revamped their defense this offseason, only to be torched by the Bengals and Cardinals offense. There is a compelling argument to be made that the easiest part of Minnesota’s schedule is behind them. That spells trouble for down the road.

The pass rush has perked up from last year. Is it scheme, healthy talent or a combination of both?

Yes, the Vikings have improved their pass rush, but that was a low bar to clear. Danielle Hunter missed the entire 2020 season. Ifeadi Odenigbo, a breakout reserve from 2019, regressed in 2020. D.J. Wonnum, Jalyn Holmes and Shamar Stephen were all thrust into big roles. Offensive lines double-teamed Odenigbo, then let their team’s quarterback take their sweet time picking apart the Minnesota defense.

This year, Hunter is back, and playing very well. Everson Griffen reunited with the team this offseason. He’s offered some positive things in the pass rush. Even Michael Pierce, a nose tackle who opted out of 2020, has gotten involved in getting to the quarterback. The Vikings had an easy route to improvement.

What are some new additions that Lions fans need to know about?

The defense is a lot different. The Vikings made two big splashes in free agency with DT Dalvin Tomlinson and CB Patrick Peterson. They’re both starters. The Vikings also signed Xavier Woods, a safety who has been pretty good. On the offensive line, the team moved Ezra Cleveland over to left guard, plugged in Oli Udoh at right guard and put reserve OT Rashod Hill into a starting role. First-round OT Christian Darrisaw is still trying to get fully healthy and acclimated.

What is one thing about the Vikings that might give the Lions a chance to pull off the upset?

There are a variety of factors. For one, Dalvin Cook isn’t playing. Also, Minnesota’s defense has been picked apart by a few teams. QB Kirk Cousins played poorly in Week 4, too. The Lions have a lot of different areas where they can attack this inconsistent Vikings team.

Where is the biggest matchup advantage for the Vikings in this matchup?

Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen against the Lions DBs. The Lions’ highest-graded cornerback on PFF is Jeffrey Okudah, with just a grade of 53.0. Jefferson and Thielen can both feast on an inconsistent Detroit secondary.

Who wins and why?

The Vikings win and move to 2-3, not because this is a stellar team, but because the Lions are not set up for the short term. Minnesota 24, Detroit 10.

 

Lions vs. Vikings: Final injury reports for the Week 5 matchup

Here’s who will not play and other players with injury designations for the Week 5 matchup between the Lions and Vikings.

The practices for the week are over, which means the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are required to produce their injury lists and player designations for Sunday’s matchup at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Detroit added two starters, center Frank Ragnow and outside linebacker Romeo Okwara, to the injured reserve during the week. Those losses create some big holes in an already thin Lions roster and are the latest in a wave of injuries to hit coach Dan Campbell’s team.

Here’s who will not play and other players with injury designations for the Week 5 matchup between the Lions and Vikings.

Dan Campbell offers optimistic update on T.J. Hockenson and Penei Sewell for Week 5

Hockenson and Sewell have both been limited in practices all week but could play vs. the Vikings

With a plethora of injured players, the Detroit Lions are already quite shorthanded entering Week 5. So when coach Dan Campbell offers up some positive news on a couple of the walking wounded and their chances for playing in Minnesota on Sunday, it’s a very welcome development.

Campbell had an optimistic tone on both starting offensive tackle Penei Sewell and Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. Both players have been either out or limited in practices all week, but Campbell indicated both Hockenson (knee) and Sewell (ankle) are improving in their injury statuses and have a chance to play on Sunday.

The official injury report will be released later on Friday following the final practice of the week. Expect both Hockenson and Sewell to be listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC North matchup with the Vikings.

Lions vs. Vikings: Week 5 odds and best bets

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Week 5 odds and best bets for the NFC North matchup

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The Detroit Lions are decided underdogs heading into the team’s trip to Minnesota to face the Vikings in Week 5. Detroit is getting more than a touchdown in the latest odds for the coming NFL weekend.

Here’s how the odds stack up at Tipico Sportsbook as of 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 7th:

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

  • Money line: Lions +265 (bet $100 to win $265) | Vikings -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Lions +7.5 (-115) | Vikings -7.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

Both the Lions and Vikings are 2-2 against the spread through the first four weeks of the 2021 season. The Vikings have won the last seven meetings in the series straight-up, and the Lions have covered the spread just once in those seven meetings.

Given the rather dire injury situation for the winless Lions, the best bet here is to take the Vikings and give the -7.5 points.

Cory Undlin: ‘it’s just poor, poor coaching’ for Lions to have 10 defenders on the field

The rookie DC took the blame for only having 10 defenders on the field 3 times in 2 games

Give credit to Lions defensive coordinator Cory Undlin for saying what everyone is thinking.

The Lions coaching is making way too many preventable mistakes. None is more glaring than only having 10 defensive players on the field for three different plays in the last two games, both losses. That includes a long TD run by Vikings RB Dalvin Cook.

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Undlin shouldered the blame in his press conference with reporters on Tuesday.

“It’s embarrassing, is what it is. I would say this: It’s just poor, poor coaching is what it is,” Undlin said.

Undlin then proceeded to give a rather lengthy explanation of the communication breakdown and confusion that has caused the problem. He absolved safety Duron Harmon of blame while acknowledging that he respected Harmon for trying to take responsibility.

The gruff-voiced Undlin once again pointed the finger at himself,

“…the remedy is not to let it happen again. I know I said that last week. I failed you guys at that. I failed the players at that.  But ultimately, it comes back to me.”

It’s a particularly sensitive flashpoint for the Lions. Former head coach Jim Caldwell was vehemently criticized for failing to field an 11-man defense late in his tenure, and the defensive-minded coaching staff led by Matt Patricia was entrusted to do better. It has not happened.

 

 

Instant analysis of the Lions lopsided loss to the Vikings

Patricia is 0-5 against the Vikings and all losses have been in double-digits

The Detroit Lions seized control of last place in the NFC North with a poorly coached, poorly executed game plan in a 34-20 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The loss drops the Lions to 3-5, the same as the Vikings, but Minnesota owns the tie-breaker.

They also own the Lions. This was Detroit’s ninth straight loss within the NFC North. Matt Patricia has never beaten the Vikings. Heck, he’s never come within 10 points of the Vikings in any of their five meetings.

This one wasn’t nearly as close as the final score indicated. Chase Daniel, in for Matthew Stafford after the starting QB left for a concussion check, threw a garbage-time TD to T.J. Hockenson to close the gap.

Outside of two blocked punts, great kick coverage, a great veteran TD connection from Stafford to Marvin Jones and one perfectly timed blitz from Desmond Trufant that sacked Kirk Cousins, this game was a complete and abject failure by the Lions.

Stafford was solid early but fell apart with two terrible interceptions. D’Andre Swift had another critical drop in the passing game. The offensive line was mauled by a Vikings front that has struggled all year. And the offense was the better side of the ball for Detroit.

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The same very basic play concepts continue to completely flummox the Lions defense every single week. It’s getting worse, not better. Dalvin Cook posted 206 yards on the ground by making simplistic cuts and running away from the perennially step-late linebackers and safeties. Backup Alexander Mattison hit 69 yards on 12 carries and made it look very easy.

Then again, it’s easy to run when the defense only has 10 defenders on the field. Again…

Just for good measure, fading kicker Matt Prater missed his sixth field goal attempt on the season. Add placekicker to the list of problem spots in Detroit.

The Vikings played well, and they deserve credit. The Lions tried doing the exact same things that have led to a 12-26-1 record under Patricia over the last two-plus seasons. At some point, either Patricia will realize that staying the course on his obviously flawed strategies isn’t working or the Lions ownership will pull the plug.

Based on what we’ve seen from Patricia, particularly when he keeps losing in the same ways over and over again, it’s hard to expect the former. It’s time to expect the latter.

Matt Patricia and the Lions continue to repeat baffling, terrible mistakes

The losses keep mounting but nothing changes for the better from the coaching staff

Down 13-0 early in the second quarter, the Lions had the ball at the Vikings 1-yard line courtesy of Matthew Stafford and D’Andre Swift, mostly. Needing a touchdown to get a handle on the game and give the team some life after being out-classed in the first quarter, Darrell Bevell — naturally —took Swift off the field and brought on the biggest tell in the league: Adrian Peterson.

The stretch run call to Peterson, followed by the decision to kick a field goal is a fireable offense, not even taking into account this coaching staff’s other obvious flaws. For one, Peterson has been declining rapidly as the season has worn on.

 

Week 8 brought about an even worse YPC at 1.4. One. Point. Four. When Peterson is in the game, he likely is getting a handoff. When Peterson gets a handoff, he’s getting fewer and fewer yards every passing week.

So on 3rd-and-1 from the 1-yard line, Bevell decides to dial up a stretch run with Peterson. It fails, as expected. When all 11 players on defense know that an aging Adrian Peterson is getting the handoff, your best hope is a net-zero on the play. They lost four. Stafford had hit his last seven passes to that point, and the Vikings injury-depleted secondary is young and prone to mistakes. It is astounding that that play call even crossed an experienced coach’s mind at that point in time.

The decision to kick a field goal after that failed third down might have even been worse. The Vikings had just torched the Lions defense the previous two drives. They hadn’t even faced a third down yet. And Patricia decides that a field goal attempt, with a kicker who’s been struggling all season and had just missed a 46 yard try earlier, is the way to get back in the game.

At the time of writing, the Lions trail 20-10 and the Vikings had just punted for the second time of the game. And if they make a comeback and somehow force a few more stops to win, my opinion on this will not change one single iota. Patricia coaches scared, but he also coaches like his defense will make a stop, which they have continuously proven incapable. The mix of those two styles, combined with his and Bevell’s inability to make any sort of changes when something is not working, completely neuter this talented offense.

In the first two drives of the game, there were three plays in two drives where Bevell called a screen to the following: 35-year-old Danny Amendola and 35-year-old Adrian Peterson. Who would possibly say “no” to having Marvin Hall or D’Andre Swift in those situations? Why does this coaching staff only cater to the needs of the elderly statesmen? Let Amendola work inside where he’s made his living. Feed the ball to talented, young, quick playmakers. Attack weaknesses. Let Stafford sling.

Ultimately, had this coaching staff made those third and fourth down calls early in the season, it would be easier to forgive. But we’ve seen what Patricia does in these situations for nearly three years now. He’s not changing. The Lions need to make the change themselves.